What's your travel style?

Some people like to hit all the sights and monuments. Some people like to do all the cultural things locals do. Some people enjoy outdoor and natural activities. Many like to spend time relaxing. And some like to shop, shop, shop. Others like to party!

I actually like to do a combination on every trip. Variety is what makes a good vacation. I think my days in France included the wide range of travel styles.

1. Sightseeing

This was a big one in Paris. There are just a ridiculous number of famous sights in France. Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower, the Arc d'triomphe, Champs Élysées, the Louvre, Versailles, the Concorde... We really saw them all. French architecture is really amazing; it is definitely at the top of my list. American architecture is so bland in comparison. Even among European nations I like France... It's so grand and it's not as somber as Italy which is dominated by churches (my opinion.)

Sightseeing also is a great photo opportunity :)

2. Culture

Exploring another country's culture is one of my favorite travel activities. A huge part of this one in France is eating. There are also other quirky local things: buying tickets, going to the post, grocery shopping, etc. But the big one here is probably dining.

We actually ate in a few times. Mostly we ate bread, cheese, fresh produce at home. The cheese section in the grocery store is HUGE-- bigger than the meat section!! And once I even cooked soup for Fei when she was sick.

Meal at home

Otherwise we might grab a fresh pastry from a local boulangerie (our local friends seem to do this for lunch most of the time.) French people love sweets! I don't really understand it. But the pastries are good.

Pierre Herme, omg I cannot describe in words how amazing this man is. 

Pierre Herme macarons, I can no longer eat any others. These are perfection in taste and texture.

We also ate out a lot in France. No meal was over 20 euro. So it's possible to eat well in France at a reasonable price if you know where to look.

Galette with ham and cheese and salad

Falafel- pretty famous in Paris

Duck. Freaking amazing: fried, tender, and garlicky.

Lamb steak 

Another cultural thing was drinking in public places. Young French people drink everywhere-- along the Seine river, on bridges (like the love lock bridge), beneath the Eiffel tower. When my cousin Silvia and her friend Inaise visited, we drank champagne beneath the Eiffel tower. So fun!

Silvia pouring some champagne!

3. Nature/relaxation

This category is a bit lacking. Paris is the antithesis of natural, which is probably why some of them escape to the countryside whenever they can (some every week!) I will say that I walked miles every day, and my feet and legs ached every morning.

In the town of Versailles, there was more nature. (most everything was manicured, though).

4. Shop

Shopping is great in France-- just ask the Chinese! Go into galeria Lafayette, and you will see lots of tourists buying Louis Vuitton and Longchamp. There is a line to get into Chanel! 

I actually did not get a chance to shop much. I just don't have the budget for French shopping :) but I did get some skin care, gourmet goods (special honey, salt, and herbs), and chocolate.

5. Party

I guess this isn't our biggest priority. We did go out for one night in the Marais, the gay district. It was fun but not the best. First there was the language barrier. Second the drinks are small and more expensive than the us. (Is that why Europeans love to party in the us? Cheap, oversized drinks?) maybe we will go out more in Spain. 

So that's my France trip in a nutshell. Au revoir!